Hundreds of coins depicting Egyptian pharaoh Cleopatra VII, the lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, were found at Taposiris Magna, the site of an ancient Egyptian temple. Plus, the same team recently found a submerged port on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, saying her grave could be underwater near the port.
Both discoveries are part of “Cleopatra’s Last Secret” and are new documentaries that will premiere on September 25th at 10pm (9pm CDT) and the next day on Disney+ and Full National Geographic Channel.
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According to Martinez, the coin was discovered in a temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Her team found hundreds of coins on the property. More than 200 in the temple courtyard, more than 300 at the entrance, and even more in or near the temple. In particular, the team unearthed more than 330 coins near the walls of the “sacred ditch” temple that appear to be hidden.
Furthermore, research revealed a current underwater port next to the temple. Researchers investigating the port have already discovered ruins of not only stone and metal anchors, but also ceramic containers. This port was used around the time of Cleopatra.
Most coins are made of bronze. And while coin excavations, cleaning and identification are underway, many seem to portray Cleopatra VII, Martinez told Live Science. The coins at the entrance and courtyard of the temple were intended as offerings to the goddess ISIS, she said.
Related: Where is Cleopatra’s grave?
Cleopatra’s Missing Tomb
Cleopatra ruled Egypt between 51 and 30 BC, but she was co-director of Caesarion, the child of Julius Caesar. After the assassination of Caesar in 44 BC, she became the lover of Mark Antony, a co-director of the Roman Republic and a Roman general who had him and three children. Antony was defeated in a civil war with Octavian. Octavian is another Roman co-luler who later became Rome’s first and perhaps the longest-serving emperor. After Octavian won, Cleopatra VII died of suicide rather than being taken to Rome.
Although Cleopatra VII’s tomb has never been found, Martinez said there was evidence that the Pharaoh was buried in Taposiris Magna. She had some discussion about this, including the feeling that Cleopatra felt a close relationship with ISIS and the numerous Cleopatra VII coins suggest that the tomb is there.
Additionally, there are dozens of other burials in places with dates around the VII era of Cleopatra, Martinez said. Some of these include golden mummies. This indicates that Taposiris Magna was used to burial elites during the Cleopatra era. Many other scholars oppose this theory and tend to believe that Cleopatra was buried in Alexandria.
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“The sacred trench”
Martinez’s team began excavations at Taposiris Magna in 2005 and found the first Cleopatra VII coin in 2006. They have been excavating ever since. Last year they found, as Martinez called it, “the sacred trench.” It appears to have been hidden near the temple wall.
So far, over 330 coins have drawn Cleopatra VII, but have been found in the trench. Many other artifacts have also been discovered, including the potential Cleopatra VII, ruins of female makeup, the unknown pharaoh model, and the bust, in which Hathor (a goddess associated with love and beauty) depicted a ring with the image of a Greek inscription along with “R. A. Justice.” [a sun god] Martinez said.
Martinez believes these coins and artifacts are hidden so that they are not captured by the Romans. “This is clear evidence that Cleopatra was loved and wanted to preserve what they were. [from her time]”And they didn’t want the Romans to get them,” Martinez said.
“There is no archaeological evidence yet.”
Live Science showed exclusive video clips showing some of the coins being drilled. A scholar who is not a member of the drilling said that while the coin appears to portray Cleopatra VII, he opposed the idea that she was buried at the site.
“Indeed, these are coins struck during Cleopatra’s reign and they build her portrait,” Andrew Meadows, a classics professor at Oxford University, told Live Science in an email. “Was she buried there? We have no evidence of ancient literature or documentaries to suggest so, and I have not yet seen any archaeological evidence to suggest that she is.”
“These are actually Cleopatra VII bronze coins,” said Thomas Faucher, director of the Alexandria Research Centre in Egypt. However, “Cleopatra’s idea” [being] The burial in Taposiris has long been rejected by many scholars,” he told Live Science via email, adding that he also had doubts.
Sitta von Redon, a professor of ancient history at the University of Freiburg in Germany, said he believes Cleopatra was buried in Alexandria, a now-mined area near the royal palace. However, she does not rule out that the temple of Taposiris Magna may have claimed that Cleopatra’s body was held.
“It is likely that individual sanctuaries claimed they had Cleopatra’s body and for some reason they set up a cult in the temple district,” von Redon told Live Science in an email.
Martinez said he understands that many scholars disagree with their theory, but doesn’t care.
“I think it’s good that in science you have different opinions,” Martinez said. She still believes her theory and says, “We are sure we will find Cleopatra’s grave in Taposiris Magna.” The grave could be found in part of a site currently underwater, she said. She continues to search for Cleopatra’s grave on the site until the tomb is found there and elsewhere.
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